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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Rec / Prevalence of benzimidazole resistance on horse farms in Ger...
The Veterinary record2004; 154(2); 39-41; doi: 10.1136/vr.154.2.39

Prevalence of benzimidazole resistance on horse farms in Germany.

Abstract: Faecal egg counts (FECs) were made on samples from 1383 horses on 64 farms in northern Germany between August 2000 and November 2001. There were significant differences between the mean FECs in the two years; in 2000, 59.6 per cent of 369 samples were positive and in 2001, 32.6 per cent of 1014 samples were positive for strongyle eggs. The results of a FEC reduction test indicated that resistance to fenbendazole was present on all 10 farms where it had been used, including in 33 of 60 horses tested. In contrast, treatment with ivermectin resulted in the complete elimination of nematode eggs in all the 77 horses tested. The mean LD50 values of the egg hatch test for thiabendazole indicated resistance on all 20 farms investigated and in 94 of 134 samples (70 per cent).
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Publication Date: 2004-02-05 PubMed ID: 14758828DOI: 10.1136/vr.154.2.39Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article studies the widespread resistance to benzimidazole, a commonly used anthelmintic, in horses across Germany. Over a thousand horses were tested across two years, showing a high prevalence of resistance, particularly so when compared to the efficacy of another deworming drug, ivermectin.

Study Method and Findings

  • The research was conducted over a span of two years from August 2000 to November 2001. Samples from approximately 1383 horses on 64 farms across northern Germany were investigated.
  • Faecal Egg Counts (FECs), a test used to identify and quantify the number of parasitic eggs in faecal matter of animals, were made on these samples.
  • The study noticed significant differences in the mean faecal egg counts in the two years. In the year 2000, nearly 60% of the 369 samples tested positive for strongyle eggs, a type of parasitic nematode. Conversely, in 2001, just over 32% of the 1014 samples tested positive for the same.

FEC Reduction Test and Drug Resistance

  • While analyzing the results of the fecal egg count reduction test, resistance to fenbendazole, a type of benzimidazole, was discovered. This resistance was prevalent on all 10 farms where the drug had been employed in the treatment of 60 horses.
  • The study also indicated that fenbendazole resistance was observed in over half the horses tested (33 of 60).
  • In stark contrast, when another anthelmintic drug, ivermectin, was used for treatment, it resulted in the complete eradication of nematode eggs in all 77 horses that were tested.

Egg Hatch Test and Level of Resistance

  • As a measure of drug resistance, scientists computed the median lethal dose (LD50), representing the dose required to kill 50% of the tested population.
  • The egg hatch test for thiabendazole, another benzimidazole drug, indicated resistance on all the 20 farms tested. In approximately 70% of the samples (94 of 134), resistance was observed as per the LD50 values.
  • These findings show a high prevalence of benzimidazole resistance in horses across northern Germany, an alarming trend which necessitates alternative treatment strategies or preventative measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Wirtherle N, Schnieder T, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. (2004). Prevalence of benzimidazole resistance on horse farms in Germany. Vet Rec, 154(2), 39-41. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.154.2.39

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 0042-4900
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 154
Issue: 2
Pages: 39-41

Researcher Affiliations

Wirtherle, N
  • Institute of Parasitology, Hannover School of Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 17, D-30559 Hannover, Germany.
Schnieder, T
    von Samson-Himmelstjerna, G

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Anthelmintics / pharmacology
      • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
      • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology
      • Benzimidazoles / therapeutic use
      • Drug Resistance
      • Feces / parasitology
      • Germany / epidemiology
      • Horses
      • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
      • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
      • Prevalence
      • Seasons
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / epidemiology
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology
      • Strongyloidea / drug effects
      • Strongyloidea / isolation & purification

      Citations

      This article has been cited 14 times.
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        doi: 10.1051/parasite/2021059pubmed: 34410223google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.3390/ani10101916pubmed: 33086590google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.1155/2017/5163968pubmed: 28265572google scholar: lookup
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        pubmed: 23682256
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      11. von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Traversa D, Demeler J, Rohn K, Milillo P, Schurmann S, Lia R, Perrucci S, di Regalbono AF, Beraldo P, Barnes H, Cobb R, Boeckh A. Effects of worm control practices examined by a combined faecal egg count and questionnaire survey on horse farms in Germany, Italy and the UK.. Parasit Vectors 2009 Sep 25;2 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S3.
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      12. Traversa D, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Demeler J, Milillo P, Schürmann S, Barnes H, Otranto D, Perrucci S, di Regalbono AF, Beraldo P, Boeckh A, Cobb R. Anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomin populations from horse yards in Italy, United Kingdom and Germany.. Parasit Vectors 2009 Sep 25;2 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S2.
        doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-2-S2-S2pubmed: 19778463google scholar: lookup
      13. von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Coles GC, Jackson F, Bauer C, Borgsteede F, Cirak VY, Demeler J, Donnan A, Dorny P, Epe C, Harder A, Höglund J, Kaminsky R, Kerboeuf D, Küttler U, Papadopoulos E, Posedi J, Small J, Várady M, Vercruysse J, Wirtherle N. Standardization of the egg hatch test for the detection of benzimidazole resistance in parasitic nematodes.. Parasitol Res 2009 Sep;105(3):825-34.
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      14. Ram H, Rasool TJ, Sharma AK, Meena HR, Singh SK. Comparative efficacy of different anthelmintics against fenbendazole-resistant nematodes of pashmina goats.. Vet Res Commun 2007 Aug;31(6):719-23.
        doi: 10.1007/s11259-007-0021-8pubmed: 17308986google scholar: lookup
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